Berwick couple put on a big holiday display

BERWICK, Maine — It’s safe to assume the Bogdan’s home on Hubbard Road is better decorated for the holidays than yours.

Reindeers, penguins, elves, and peppermint canes are among hundreds — possibly thousands — of different ornaments on display for excited visitors to gaze at in awe.

At night, the backyard resembles more of a faraway land associated with childhood fairy tales than an actual 21st century residence.

And, that’s exactly what the Bogdan’s are striving to achieve.

“The best part is seeing everyone smile and take pictures when they come visit,” said Chuck Bogdan, an avid ornament collector. “Seeing the excitement is worth all the effort.”

His wife Pam agreed. “It’s fun seeing the kids walk up the driveway and take pictures,” she said. “Watching all the smiles is the best part.”

The Bogdan’s, who first began their large-scale decoration efforts back in 1997, have thousands of illuminated ornaments all over their property at 6 Hubbard Road. Apart from the impressive display currently open to the public, thousands of other Christmas collectibles are packed into the Bogdan’s basement, attic, barn, and garage — basically wherever they can fit.

As Chuck explained, the family collects ornaments from a variety of different places. Apart from local retailers, the Bogdan’s have items on display from places such as San Diego, Las Vegas, and Michigan, among others. “It doesn’t matter where we are,” Chuck said. “If we see something we like we’ll buy it and bring it back.”

Although the family first started back in 1997, at their home in Lebanon, Maine, their home was secluded in a mostly wooded area, making their decorations largely hidden from the public’s view.

Their current residence on Hubbard Road is much more open to passing motorists, many of whom stop by during all hours of the night to mill around the home’s brightly illuminated backyard.

And, their efforts have been awarded by the town. The Bogdan’s kitchen is full of the Berwick holiday lighting contest’s “Best of the Best” award. For much of the past decade, the family has taken home the top prize.

During a year in which the family was too busy to partake in their decorating efforts, friends and neighbors even stopped by to see if everything was all right.

Others from far away have also stopped by the home. The Bogdan’s have a guest book they encourage people to sign in their driveway. One year, a group from Germany inked the guest book. Las Vegas natives have also penned their initials. “It’s fun to see the different places people come from to view the display,” Chuck said. “It’s not just local residents.”

Apart from their lights display, the Bogdan’s are also raising food donations for the Rochester Food Pantry — an organization that distributes food to local individuals in both Maine and New Hampshire.

The food drive, which is in memory of Pam’s father who passed away in May, is currently set up on the home’s porch. Donations of nonperishable food items are greatly appreciated.

“It’s nice to give a little back, especially during this time of the year,” Chuck said.

The lights display — for anyone who hasn’t had an opportunity to view it — will be open until Christmas Day. The Bogdan’s typically leave the lights on until 9 p.m. on the weekdays, and until 10 or 10:30 p.m. on the weekends.

“Times have certainly been tough,” Chuck said. “If we can put smiles on faces I don’t see why not.”